Essential Oils Combat Insect Bites

I have recently returned from a fabulous week in the Lake District. We had amazing hot sunny weather and walked our socks off, very memorable. There was only one down side: a veritable plethora of insects, midges, horse flies, mosquitoes, you name it! As we head into the summer I thought it might be useful to post some information about using essential oils as a natural insect repellent. Here’s a list of essential oils that are good for repelling insects: Basil, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Citronella, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Orange, Peppermint, Pine, Rose Geranium, Rosemary, Tea tree, Thyme. If you’d like to make a lovely natural insect repellent get yourself a 125ml spray bottle and follow these simple instructions. Dissolve 80 drops of essential oils in 45ml of Witch Hazel or Vodka – you can use any combination from the list that you fancy but I wouldn’t recommend using more that 4 or 5 together. For example Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Lavender, and Citronella would make a lovely blend, 20 drops of each. Or Peppermint, Tea tree, Lavender, and Lemongrass, 15 drops of Peppermint, 25 of Tea tree, and 20 each of Lavender and Lemongrass. Pour the mixture into your bottle and top up with distilled or boiled (and cooled) water. Give it a good shake every time you use it.

If you’re unfortunate enough to get bitten there are essential oils that help to cool and sooth insect bites, and reduce inflammation and risk of infection. Examples are Lavender, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Thyme, Peppermint, and Tea tree. Lavender and Tea tree can be applied neat but the others should always be diluted in carrier such as a cream or oil, no more than 5 drops per 10ml.